Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: new rules for flags and LELÉKA’s performance
Only flags and banners that meet the established fire safety standards will be permitted inside the venue for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Spectators will only be able to bring their own merchandise if they have certificates confirming compliance with these standards.
Documents for flags will be checked upon entry to the Wiener Stadthalle arena. Items without the relevant certification may be confiscated.
According to the organisers and the official ticket distributor Oeticket, these restrictions are part of wider safety measures being introduced across Europe following a fire at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana in January this year. Forty-one people died in that incident, with over 115 more injured.
Spectators are advised to purchase flags in advance from the official Eurovision shop, where all products already meet the established standards. According to Suspilne, flags representing 197 countries, the EU and the LGBTQ+ community will be on sale.
The 70th anniversary contest will take place in Vienna on 12, 14 and 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle. Thirty-five countries will take part. Ukraine will be represented by singer LELÉKA with the song “Ridnym”, who will perform in the second semi-final as number 12.
In the run-up to the contest, LELÉKA performed at the largest promotional concert, Eurovision in Concert, in Amsterdam. Of the 35 countries participating in this year’s Eurovision, 25 took part in the concert.
During her trip, the singer also met with representatives from other countries, including the Netherlands, Croatia, Luxembourg, Greece and others.
LELÉKA took to the stage in a white dress with black detailing, the sleeves of which resembled a stork’s wings. After her performance, she said that the audience had switched on the flashlights on their phones, and the atmosphere itself was very emotional.
The following day, the artist spent time with the Ukrainian diaspora in the Netherlands. She met with teenagers, led the attendees in traditional Easter dances and performed “Hrushechka”.
Suspilne Culture and Radio Promin are the official media partners of “Eurovision”. As a member of the European Broadcasting Union, Suspilne Broadcasting organises and conducts the selection of the song and representative from Ukraine, and also ensures the participation of the Ukrainian representative in “Eurovision 2026”.
As reported by ThePublic, there is very little time left until the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, and the excitement surrounding the main favourites is heating up with renewed vigour. Ukraine, represented by LELÉKA with the poignant song “Ridnym”, remains firmly in the top ten contenders for victory
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